A dozen underground priests and seminarians were attending a religious retreat Oct. 20 in the Hebei province. The government of China raided the retreat and arrested the participants, who are now being kept in a detention house in Gaocheng County, the Connecticut-based Cardinal Kung Foundation reported.

The Kung Foundation also reported that a Catholic church in Hebei was demolished by the Chinese government last June 21, just two weeks after its construction was completed. This church was located in Liu Gou village and had about 150 parishioners, mostly new converts.

Joseph Kung, president of the Cardinal Kung Foundation, said: "The Pope has repeatedly expressed his deep respect and love for the Chinese people. It does not appear that the Chinese government respects the Pope with these consistent and harsh treatments of the Roman Catholic Church in China."